SWABI: Two robbers were critically injured in police custody here the other day after their accomplices allegedly opened fire on them when the police were taking them to a crime spot to collect evidence.

When contacted, police officials said that two robbers, who operated in Swabi and Mardan, were arrested on Tuesday and were taken to a crime scene when they were attacked. As a result, the two robbers were injured. They were identified as Aqib Khan and Shahram alias Noor, residents of Shahbaz Garhi, Mardan.

The accused were wanted by Swabi and Mardan police in different robbery cases.After arrest, the police had recovered four mobile phones and two pistols from their possession.

Police said that the two accused were taken to a crime scene in a police mobile van and on the way back two motorcyclists opened fire on the accused, injuring them critically.

The police party retaliated, but the attackers escaped taking advantage of narrow streets.

The injured accused were shifted to the hospital, while a search operation was launched in the area to track down the attackers.

Meanwhile, district police officer Swabi Ziauddin Ahmed said that an operation was underway against criminal elements in Swabi district.

YOUNG MAN KILLED: A 20-year-old Awais Ahmad was shot dead allegedly by one of his relatives when he was on his way home here the other day.

Mashahor Ahmad, brother of deceased, while registering an FIR in Yar Hussain police station, said that his brother was going home when one Saud Gul, one of their relatives, opened fire on him. He died instantly. The motive behind the incident was stated to be a family dispute.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2026